Follow on from our review of 2022 We have some big plans for 2023, and beyond that we wish to share with you.
In late 2022 SCA secured funding from United States Fish and Wildlife Service for an umbrella project “Building a collaborative foundation for evidence-based saiga antelope conservation”.
The project is scheduled for 5 years and its overall purpose is to bring together actors working on saiga conservation along the whole supply chain, in a sustainable, inclusive network that identifies and addresses evidence gaps in an integrated way.
In March, partners, and saiga Memorandum of Understanding signatories from the 6 range states will be travelling to Oxford, UK; for a project inception meeting. At this event SCA will work with partners and to draw up a work plan, identify skills gaps and establish relationships to share knowledge and improve capacity across the conservation world.
For 6 months following this meeting. SCA will develop and improve capacity by establishing a new ‘theory of change’ and conduct a ‘skills gap analysis’. This work will be reviewed by all partners from the Convention of Migratory Species in October 2023 in Kaskent, Uzbekistan where a new Mou will be drawn up for all partners to agree to and the new programme of work will begin.
These two meetings and this 6 months of work will be significant for the future of Saiga Conservation and when added to the outstanding programs like Resurrection Island, Young Conservation Leaders, Steppe Wildlife Clubs, Saiga Day as well as protection and biological activities will usher in a new era of success and optimism.
We are very excited to be delivering this project and look forward to keeping you posted on the progress.
Wish us luck.
